What a Toothache Can Turn Into

Toothache refers to pain in and around the teeth and jaw, typically caused by tooth decay or infection. A toothache can manifest in a variety of ways, such as a constant, throbbing pain or a sudden, sharp pain. A patient may also experience pain with chewing, headaches, bad breath, swollen glands, and more.

If you have developed a toothache, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible for an official diagnosis and treatment. Failure to have a toothache treated can result in various complications. Learn more about toothaches and the consequences of ignoring tooth pain.

Serious Infections

Tooth infections should never be taken lightly. If a toothache is left untreated, it can turn into a serious infection that puts your health and life at risk. A tooth infection is a result of a bacterial infection that can develop when a tooth breaks or there is a build-up of untreated tooth decay.

The dental pulp is the most susceptible area to infection as it contains sensitive nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. If a dental infection is not promptly treated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissues and bones.

An untreated tooth infection can lead to even more severe consequences, such as sepsis, a type of blood infection that most commonly develops in people with weakened immune systems. Other complications that can develop due to a serious dental infection include meningitis and Ludwig’s Angina.

Worsening Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can develop when acids are produced from plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria constantly forming on your teeth. While tooth decay does not always cause symptoms, it can sometimes lead to tooth sensitivity, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, black, brown, or gray spots on the teeth, or a toothache.

Failure to treat tooth decay in its early stages can have several repercussions. Cavities do not go away on their own and can spread over the entire surface of the tooth, and even to other teeth. As cavities tend to deepen and widen over time, your teeth can become brittle and more prone to breaking or cracking.

Untreated tooth decay can also damage the nerves of the teeth. Without treatment, bacteria will eventually reach the nerves of the tooth and expose them to air. This can result in tooth pain and put your nerve health at risk. The longer you let a cavity go untreated, the higher the risk of infection.

Gum Disease

Approximately 47.2 percent of adults age 30 or older have some form of periodontal disease, according to the CDC. Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is a type of gum infection that damages the soft tissue surrounding the teeth.

Without treatment, gum disease can ultimately destroy the bone that supports the teeth, potentially resulting in tooth loss. Certain symptoms can indicate that a person has developed gum disease, such as puffy or swollen gums, gums that feel tender to the touch, dark red gums, bad breath, painful chewing, pus between the teeth and gums, or gums that pull away from the teeth.

As toothache generally has an underlying cause of tooth decay, untreated tooth pain can often lead to or worsen gum disease. Gum disease will typically progress through several stages, starting from gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, to advanced periodontitis which can result in an infection and tooth loss.

Schedule An Appointment With Us

The consequences of an untreated toothache can be severe. The longer you go without treatment, the higher your risk of health complications. If you are dealing with a toothache, it’s important to see your dentist in Clermont FL for a dental exam. Your Clermont dental practice will help you determine the underlying cause of your tooth pain and recommend treatment. For more information about toothaches or treatment options, reach out to the dental professionals at Hancock Village Dental at 352-989-5815.